Penticton has been working to build this connection for a long time, with the Jump On Flyaways service introduced in March 2013. Jump On is a round-trip package the city hoped would be popular with Albertans and would encourage WestJet to offer regular travel options between the cities. The service starting this weekend provides daily, non-stop flights between the two cities. Ski vacations, wakeboarding and wine tours are among the local attractions expected to draw visitors, WestJet vice-president Paul Harvalias said in a media release.

One of the other benefits of the Penticton to Calgary flight is the ability to connect to flights across Canada and the U.S.

"YYC is pleased to welcome WestJet Encore's newest service to this attractive leisure destination in the festival centre of the Okanagan," senior vice- president and chief commercial officer Stephan Poirier said. "With the best connections in Western Canada, YYC is truly the place where business and leisure travellers can connect from here to everywhere. The addition of Penticton to our growing route network means more passengers in Southern British Columbia will have the opportunity to experience the world."

To contact the reporter for this story, email Shelley Jordan at sjordan@infonews.ca or call 250-491-0331. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

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